Unhappy with current career choice - now what?

nikki · Feb 28, 2002

Well here I am... 22 years old... out of school for a little over a year... and unhappy already. :whiner:

I graduated with an Accounting Degree and was never really "into it" throughout school - but it wasn't that bad. I really enjoyed the system aspects (working in Access, Excel, other systems), managerial accounting (where you actually explore choices that effect production/profit/etc...), and some of the non-accounting business courses (especially marketing and management).

Now here I am, I've been in property accounting for about 14 months now, and I'm just not happy. I'm not into what I do at all. My mind is constanty wandering and my heart is just not in it. So now what? There is no way I could imagine doing this for the next 40-50 years!

But I really don't know what would be better. I would LOVE to have some sort of MX industry job - but that would probably require relocating and I'm not too up for that. Something like maintaining a company's web site and being involved in riders' support would be right up my alley, though. I think I would really dig teaching, too. Yeah the pay sucks but I think I could do an awesome job (I'm REAL creative and patient working with others). Red and I dream of running our own track - but that requires a big investment up front and would take a while to start turning profits - if it ever really does. I recently started writing local MX race reports for a few papers and a web site - but that is just on the side for fun. Ya know... I really don't know...

Any ideas out there? Any tips to keeping my head up? Anyone been in a similar situation?

Thanks,
Nikki :mad:

gospeedracer · Feb 28, 2002

Originally posted by nikki
I graduated with an Accounting Degree

Well there's your first mistake. ;) Welcome to the club. :confused:

I could see you being a teacher. If I didn't dislike children so much I think that would be a cool job. Lots of vacation!! :)

XRpredator · Feb 28, 2002

Hey, Nikki. I went to college for four years (even graduated, imagine that!) just to find out what I didn't want to do (teaching--I'm with you speedy, I like my own kids fine, but all those little turds killed it for me!). So I sold cars for a bit before falling into this primo job! Money's not all that great, but 3-day weekends all summer (and farting around the internet most of the day) is pretty nice.

Just having a degree in something puts you a leg up. You'll find something. :)

Besides, I thought you were a pro MXer! :cool:

JWW · Feb 28, 2002

I know you werent really into it but go back to school.

If I would have went back when I first started talking about it I would have been finished by now. Instead I choose to complain about my current job.

My wife is going through the same thing as you except she is allready a teacher. She loves the vacation but doesnt think she wants to stick with it. 28 years old and shes preparing to go back to school.

22 years old.... Im sure you will have many different careers ahead of you.

JWW · Feb 28, 2002

Originally posted by XRpredator

Just having a degree in something puts you a leg up. You'll find something. :)

Very true..... I might not have the bestest:) grammar or spelling but I can out perform alot of people. Everytime I look for a job they want some sort of degree. I wish I would have taken advantage of school instead of running from it.

I am comfortable where Im at but I worked very hard to get here.

Another thing to consider for teaching.... years of school with minimal pay. With all the time spent in school and continuing education req'd, teachers should make double their current salary.

Good luck

Person8 · Feb 28, 2002

How about a career in law enforcement? An accounting degree is a real asset when it comes to financial investigations, etc...

Larry

firecracker22 · Feb 28, 2002

I know how you feel . . . only I'm scared to do what I really want. I would have to depend on writing freelance, and I'm just not sure. I come home completely frazzled every day right now and I HATE working for someone else, even someone as cool as BBR. The problem here is that we are so busy I can't think straight, and we are so new a company we have little organization. You want to move to WA and show us how we should be doing it?

zio · Feb 28, 2002

Small Engine Repair

You can do it from home! Sally Struthers will teach you! Or be a shoe-shine girl! Set up shop anywhere you like! How about a hotdog stand? Or be a rocket scientist. You don't have to go back to school, just make your own name tag& buy a white labcoat and "poof"! You'd be surprised how much money we earn!

zio · Feb 28, 2002

Originally posted by gospeedracer

If I didn't dislike children so much I think that would be a cool job.

Geeze, didn't you have any siblings or anything?

CR Swade · Feb 28, 2002

It took me almost 15 years before I finally made the jump and went out on my own. It has been the most rewarding move I've ever made-similar to that feeling of moving out on your own for the first time. It's scary, exciting w/ some sleepless nights at first, but sure feels good not having to work for somebody else.

My advice-follow what your heart wants to do then let your talents make it work for you.

nikki · Feb 28, 2002

I sincerely thank everyone for your responses. It means a lot. I hate feeling this way day in and day out. I want to be a least a little excited about what I do.

My step-sister and her guy just applied for this "Teach America" program where you go in and teach at schools that need help. Usually a "rough" school. But you do the program for two years and I think take a few classes and become certified that way. Right now I'm kinda holding back to see if they get into the program and how things work for them. Two of their friends just got accepted and are starting in the Fall for sure. Maybe that will be my next path?

Ivan - great story about your wife. Very inspiring to me. There are a few areas I really enjoy, like working in Access for example. I would love to do that pretty full time. I guess it's time to start searching.

Thank you all again!

-Nikki

MXFastGuy · Mar 1, 2002

Nikki, from one accountant to another, don't give up on your profession too soon.

I was in your shoes a few years ago. I was in a CPA firm, had just gotten my license, and hated it. I was thinking the same things as you. Then I found my present job and things changed big time. I went to work for a small company as the Accounting Manager. The big thing is getting with the right kind of company. I've since gotten away from the accounting and gotten more into the operational side of the company. Although I'm still a CPA, I don't consider myself an accountant anymore. If you've got good people skills and get in with the right company, you can write your own ticket. You seem to have a more marketing-oriented personality, maybe that's one route you could take.

I'd definitely say do some job searching, but start with accounting and business first.

Good luck! :)

WoodsRider · Mar 1, 2002

Nikki - At 22 you’ve still got plenty of options. My first job, after six years of college, was tearing down old World War II vintage diesel generators. It was a serious blow to my ego having a Bachelor’s degree and coming home every night covered in grease. After six months I was on the verge of quitting until a co-worker, another college grad that I was working with, up and quit. A week later I was promoted into my first engineering position.

As it turned out I went through what was called the Karate Kid training program (wax on, wax off). It was the company’s way of figuring out who was a serious worker and who just wanted to collect a paycheck. I learned quite a bit from tearing down those engines and have made a career out of it. A couple years later the company scrapped that program and started hiring people directly into positions. The lack of product knowledge was immediately evident and most of those new hires lasted only a short time.

Still I wish that I had gone back to school and continued my education. Every year that passes this becomes more and more difficult to do.

Good luck in making the decision that’s right for you. ;)

DahlElama · Mar 1, 2002

Nikki - Don't get discouraged too quickly. I've definately done some dream job chasing over the past couple years. After deciding I had topped out at the software company I had worked at since college, I took off for a job that I new I could get my heart and soul into. Now I'm at my second startup in three years. Yeah... my heart was definately in it. But chasing a job that I could really enjoy came at the expense of everything else in my life. Now my job has become my life and I don't enjoy it nearly as much as I used to. OK.. enough of the weird rant.. after all it is Friday and there are only two more days left in the work week.

I just think there is something to be said for jobs that you can simply put in the required hours (giving it your best of course), and then go home and actually put your heart into living your life.

OnAnySunday · Mar 2, 2002

Nikki, ive had jobs that didnt seem very good at first as well.
Give it some time.
One of the jobs that i reallydissliked ended up being the job i wished i never left from.
Things might get better (hopefully) if you give it a chance.:)

GSR, my wifes a teacher, and i dont know how she does it?!
All those rugrats in one room...........brrrrrrrrr!:eek:

The ultimate teacher?
<"Incredible Hulk" voice on>
Hulk would be teacher, but Hulk no graduate correge.
Hulk try. Hulk go to correge, but Hulk no do good.
Puny purfesser ask Hulk questions. Always questions!
Questions make Hulk's head hurt! Make Hulk MAD!!!
When Hulk get mad.......HULK SMASH!!!!!
Hulk smash purfesser.....Hulk smash correge.......Hulk get into big trouble.......Hulk get on Hulk's YZ490 and go home.

KelvinKDX · Mar 3, 2002

nikki,

Right now your best asset is yourself and that you are only 22 and have an Accounting Degree.

Personnally - i got an engineering degree because i hated accounting.

I think that too many people (especially in the USA) tend to put too much emphasis on working and not on living. Work to live - not - live to work.

Ivan's example of his wife was a good one in that you will eventually come across what you love to do. Once you do you will just naturally do well at it.

Do not limit yourself to "accounting" jobs. Your degree is simply to get you in the door. Everything else you can learn as you go - you have shown that by getting the degree in the first place. The fact that you are MS versed and like to use Access will help you out in many fields.

I know that i have not told you anything that you did not already know.

KTMKyd · Mar 4, 2002

Well, I'm only 15, so I don't have much advice for you, but I've learned alot from talking to you, the main thing being, I SHOULD NEVER GO INTO ACCOUNTING :)
I guess just dream big and stick with it, sometimes it pays to be stubborn and hardheaded, if it gets the job done.
When I get out of college I'm moving to Australia and starting an extreme sports shop, oh, and a salon, lol :aj:

Strick · Mar 4, 2002

$$ or Enjoyment??

First have you read all the posts above? There is some good stuff up there!

I have two degrees (Finance and Economics), so what! I sell insurance for a living and have for the last seventeen years. Gotta tell ya the money is, well, better than just good;)
Do I jump out of bed every morning just dying to get to the office, NO. When I get my paycheck do I do back flips, YES. Would I recommend this career to anyone else ??? I really don't know. As one of my old colleague's put it, "it is the best paying part time job in the world."

Here's is what I am getting at. There a lot of jobs I would run to every morning. I would love to own a gym (fitness facility). I would love to own a KTM dealership. I know people who own gyms and dealerships, who just barely make a living and have NO leisure time. Now is a great time to make some decisions. At 22 it is going to be tough to know what you want later.

I would PM some of the folks that have replied and pick their brains.

Nikki, and I do mean this sincerely, Good LucK and you can do anything you set your mind to do!

zio · Mar 5, 2002

Hey strick, don't forget to tell her about the time you told a group there was coverage, because you had verbal confirmation from a source that's "good as gold", so the group cancels their prior carrier. Then a claim comes in, and come to find out the contract isn't in force....:( You only make that mistake once, though nikki. After that, the ulcers take over and your hair falls out. :scream:

CAL · Mar 5, 2002

I know how you feel Nikki. I'm still in college and am at a crossroads. I'm 23 and have worked at an engineering firm for about 4 1/2 years while going to school for a Construction Engineering degree. While the job I have now is the easiest job I've had and has the perks of working in an office, flexible hours, decent pay, and internet access;) , it doesn't satisfy me. I think I'm going to head in a different direction. I have the opportunity to start my own wheel and tire business and am going to pursue it. I still plan on staying in college and getting my Construction Engineering degree, but I have always had a passion for customizing automoblies. I just never thought I could make a living doing something that I loved so much...but if I can do it...anyone can.

I have always been told: "Pick something you do because you enjoy it, and find a way to make money doing it."

It takes a brave person to do that, and I hope that I'm brave enough to pull it off. If you love something enough, you'll find a way. It may take some sacrifices in certain areas, but you can make it happen.:)

If you want to be a teacher, you should consider moving to KY. Being a teacher in KY is one of the best jobs to have. KY teachers are well paid and have unbelievable benefits.:cool:

Hope this helps.

BunduBasher · Mar 5, 2002

Add kids, hubby and lifetime commitments to the equation and you are in trouble, best to figure out what you want now and give it a serious go.

Accounting is a good start, you can always go back to school, do a computer science degree of get into engineering. Accounting with computer science is a great way to go, you could end up programming computers, or working with financial systems - good money, plenty satisfaction - have a look and see if you can get into SAP, PeopleSoft or Oracle Financials.

As a consultant I get to travel the country, work for different companies, different applications from web development to warehousing systems to financial systems. Not having to quit to find another employer is a bonus, I just move on to another client and it is like a new job all over !

Still, I wish I was a grease monkey and could work on engines, and engine electronics all day :)

Good luck.

Alan

bsmith · Mar 5, 2002

Try this
I think they might have some openings:p

nikki · Mar 5, 2002

Hahaha - thanks Bsmith! Actually my biggest decision a little over a year ago was between Andersen and here (Quaker) and luckily I chose here :confused:

I'm still leaning towards the teaching thing. A few of my friends are starting the "Teach for America" program in the fall and I'm gonna keep up with them and see how their expeirences go - then I may apply for that for next fall. In the meanwhile - I'm trying to find my niche in accounting (and keeping my eyes open to new opportunities).

Thank you all, again, for the replies, suggestions, encouragement, and feedback. It's nice to have an educated crowd to talk with!

-Nikki

justql · Mar 7, 2002

In some states professional experience can be used to gain certification. If you've been an accountant then you would be able to get cerified to teach as a 9-12 grade business teacher. It might be worth checking into. It would be through the state department of ed or vocational ed dept. It helps if you have a school that is pushing the state to certify you.

Unhappy with current career choice - now what?

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